We’ve been waiting to see more and more of these fish moving into our systems. There have definitely been fish trickling in over the past week, but there are still plenty of steelhead hanging around the river mouths, waiting for the right conditions to make their move. This weekend could finally give us those conditions.
We’re looking at 15 to 30 mm of rain across Southern Ontario tomorrow , with the heaviest precipitation expected toward the west, including the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron tributaries. Eastern systems should see somewhat less, but even there, 10 to 15 mm is expected, followed by another shot of rain on Sunday. Looking further ahead, there is even more moisture in the forecast next week.
In other words, things could change quickly, and we think they’re going to change for the better.
Follow the Water
The biggest question this weekend will be exactly where that rain falls and how individual rivers respond to it. After a significant rainfall, some of our larger systems can come up quickly and become high and muddy. Smaller rivers often clear and come back into shape much faster, making them a better option immediately following a big rain.
We’ll be watching river levels and colour closely through Thursday and Friday. By the latter half of Thursday and certainly into Friday, we should have a much clearer picture of which systems received the most rain, which ones were missed, and how quickly each river is reacting.
That will tell us a lot about where the fish are likely to be concentrated this weekend. If you’re planning to get out, give us a call before you head out. We’ll have a much better idea of what is actually fishing by then.
Early Season Steelhead Tactics
For those nymphing or fishing with a centerpin, eggs are still the number-one option. There are plenty of salmon in our rivers right now, which means there are plenty of eggs in the system. Steelhead are opportunistic feeders, and an egg is about as easy a meal as they can find.
Fly size and colour should be dictated by water conditions. As the river gets dirtier, go larger and brighter. In clear water, do the opposite with smaller, more subdued patterns.
Worms are another excellent option immediately following a significant rainfall. Rain can wash worms from the riverbanks into the water, giving fish another large and highly visible food source. In stained water, a worm pattern can be particularly effective because it stands out without requiring fish to see it clearly.
Swinging Flies: Keep It Light
For those swinging flies, we don't expect most rivers to become terribly high despite the rain. They should pick up some colour, but we aren't expecting them to be pushing exceptionally hard.
That means we’ll be sticking with lighter, unweighted swing flies and fishing them through softer water. Patterns like the Hobo Spey and RIO Taco are great choices. The Taco in particular is a shop favourite, with plenty of movement and a nice flowing profile without adding unnecessary weight.
Early-season steelhead are often best approached with lighter sink tips and lighter flies that can move naturally through the softer flows. The goal is to get a reactive grab rather than dredging the bottom.
This isn't the time to reach for your heaviest sink tips and try to get your fly as deep as possible. In these early-season conditions, you'll often spend more time hanging up on rocks than effectively fishing. Intermediate and lighter sink tips are a better starting point, and in some situations a full floating setup can be all you need.
As far as fly colour goes, bring some black, purple and pink patterns to give fish something to find in stained water, but keep the flies themselves relatively light.
October steelhead are here, the rain is coming, and the conditions are lining up for a very interesting weekend on the rivers. We've been desperately needing some moisture, and this could be the push that gets a lot more fish moving.
I'll certainly be out there swinging a fly myself. I'm not missing this one.
Make your plans, book some time off, and get out on the river. We'll see you out there.
